Allegra Hicks's Italian-Inspired Textile Collection

Born in Turin, London-based designer Allegra Hicks is revisiting her Italian roots with her latest collection of rugs and textiles, Elements, which debuted at this season’s Salone del Mobile. “I left when I was 21, only returning for holidays and to see family. Absorbing the light and colors [of Italy] has certainly contributed to the intensity of the palette for my new collection,” she says.

New Herringbone, flat-woven chain stitch in wool, 8'10" x 12'.

Hicks is best known for a bohemian fusion of pattern and color that characterizes her collection of home goods, including cushions, pillows, and porcelain, as well as chic caftans and scarves. She’s kept in perpetual motion thanks to a by-appointment-only showroom in London, a diffusion line for John Lewis, carpets for the Rug Company, and fabrics for Lee Jofa. As she says, “Travel is a continuous inspiration.”

Echo, flat-woven kilim runner in wool, 3'1" x 9'7".

That global inspiration is evident in her vibrant new collection, which includes chain-stitched embroideries, an ancient craft that originated in Kashmir; hand-knotted carpets manufactured in India; and flat weaves that employ vegetable-dyed wool, handmade in Anatolia. “I love the idea of embroidery—I always have,” says Hicks. “This technique allows for a very high level of precision and retains the essence of the design, which is watercolor.”